Asthma triggers
Once your child has been diagnosed with asthma, your child's physician will work with you and your child to find out what triggers your child's asthma symptoms and how to avoid them. Together we will develop an asthma action plan to help you manage and control your child’s asthma symptoms.
The following are potential asthma triggers:
- Allergens: pollens (such as trees, grass, weeds); molds; house dust mites; animals; cockroaches or mice.
- Infections: viral infections; pneumonia and sinus infections.
- Irritants: tobacco smoke; air pollution (chemicals, smog, auto exhaust, etc.); dry or cold air; sudden changes in the weather.
- Exercise or strenuous activity
- Emotional stress, laughing or crying.
Minimizing exposure to allergens
Once you have determined what your child's asthma triggers are, there are steps you can take to minimize your child's exposure to particular triggers.
Outdoor pollens and molds
- Stay indoors during the midday and afternoon when the pollen count is high.
- Use air conditioning if possible.
- Keep windows closed during seasons when pollen and mold are highest.
- Avoid sources of mold (wet leaves, lawn mowing and sandboxes).
House dust mites
Take these actions to control dust mites:
- Encase pillow(s), mattress and box spring in an airtight allergen-proof cover.
- Avoid using blinds as window coverings; instead use shades or curtains and wash monthly.
- Avoid sleeping or lying on upholstered furniture.
- Wash bed covers, clothes, and stuffed toys once a week in hot (130ºF) water.
- Put books and toys in sealed containers and limit the number of stuffed animals in the bedroom.
- If you have central air/heat: place filters on registers in the allergic person’s bedroom.
These actions are not essential, but will also help control dust mites:
- Remove carpets laid on concrete.
- Remove carpets from bedrooms.
- Avoid using a vacuum or being in a room while it is being vacuumed. Ideally, we would recommend use of a vacuum cleaner with a powerful suction and a HEPA filter.
Cockroach allergen
- Use insect gels or traps to eliminate cockroaches from the home.
- If spraying, air out the home for a few hours afterwards.
- Avoid eating outside of the kitchen or dining room.
- Place all packaged food that has been opened in a sealed plastic bag.
Animal dander
Dander refers to flakes in the skin, hair, or feathers of all warm-blooded animals including dogs, cats, birds, and rodents. There is no such thing as an allergen-free dog. The length of a pet's hair does not effect dander production. The allergen, which can potentially trigger asthma, is in the saliva, urine, and dander of all pets.
- Remove animals from the house or school classroom.
- If you must have a pet, keep the pet out of the patient’s bedroom at all times.
- If there is forced air heating in the home with a pet, place filters over air ducts.
- Wash the pet weekly.
- Limit visits to friends or relatives with pets.
- Remove wall-to-wall carpeting in homes with pets.
Indoor molds
- Keep bathrooms, kitchens, and basements well ventilated.
- Clean bathrooms, kitchens, and basements regularly.
- Do not use humidifiers.
- Reduce indoor humidity to less then 50%. Use a dehumidifier if needed, particularly in damp basement areas. Set the humidity level for less than 50% but above 25%. Empty and clean the unit regularly.
Smoke
- Do not smoke.
- Do not allow smoking in the home.
- Do not allow smoking in the car.
- Encourage family members to quit smoking.
- Use an indoor air cleaning device (with a HEPA filter).
- Avoid using a wood-burning heat stove or fireplace in your home.
- Avoid using kerosene heaters.
Strong odors and sprays
- Do not stay in your home while it is being painted. Allow enough time for the paint to dry before returning.
- Avoid perfume and perfumed cosmetics such as talcum powder and hair spray.
- Do not use room deodorizers.
- Use non-perfumed household cleaning products whenever possible.
- Reduce strong cooking odors (especially frying) by using a fan and opening windows.
Colds and infections
- Avoid people with colds or the flu.
- Make sure your child rests, eats a balanced diet, and exercises regularly.
- Talk to your doctor about flu shots.
- Do not take over-the-counter cold remedies unless you speak to your doctor first.
Exercise
- Work out a plan with your child's doctor that allows for exercise without symptoms.
- Warm up before doing exercise and cool down afterwards.
Weather
- Have your child wear a scarf over the mouth and nose in cold weather or on windy days.